[R-390] Reply to my Ballast Tube Question

[Bob Camp]

Hi

Ahh ... and that brings up a question:

What were the antenna couplers used on the CVA-19 at that time?

It's been a while I know, but I just had to ask. There is an ongoing 
discussion about input impedance of the radios and how they attached to 
antennas in military service ....

	Take Care!
	
		Bob Camp
		KB8TQ


On Jul 3, 2004, at 6:09 PM, Walter Schulz wrote:

> Dear Gentleman,
> Thank you all for the help regarding finding Ballast Tubes and Mod's 
> for my R-390A/URR.
>
> I knew about the using a resistor in place of the Ballast.
> I brought my first R-390A/URR around 1968 about two years after my 
> four years aa a Navy Radioman. The fellow who sold me the R-390A 
> (Stewart-Warner S/N 953) was a Material Officer/Electronics Billet. He 
> told me then to use about 48 ohm resistance to replace the Ballast 
> Tube, just as has been mentioned in the discussion.
>
> I just wanted to restore my three R-390A's to orginal status. For the 
> last 36 years my orginal R-390A has worked with the 48 ohm resistor 
> just fine. After re-aligning the I.F.'s the receiver sensitivity is 
> approximately 0.2 microvolts. Better than most of the riceboxes sold 
> today.
>
> I was on the USS Hancock CVA-19 during 65 to 66. Supervisor Radio 
> Central on Essex Class aircraft carrier, WWII carrier. The R-390A was 
> used for receiving 8 channel MUX either USB or LSB. Simply moving the 
> BFO + or - 1 KC for SSB. Did not use any other unit for SSB. The 
> receivers were fed from Wire Rope antennas thru antenna couplers. The 
> receivers were used ship to ship (USB), ship to shore either MUX or 
> USB, and for 500 KCS CW International Distress and 8364 KCS Emergency 
> Lifeboat Frequency, 2182 AM Distress. Also the receiver was use to 
> receiver FOX Fleet Bcst via cw and radioteletype ( MUX) (Covered 
> Ckts).
>
> Coming back from Indochina via great circle route, just east of Japan 
> we could receive Iowa and mid-west AM Bcst band stations solid on our 
> mid-watches.....It's a great receiver.
>
> Once again thanks for the help, its very much appreciated.
> BRgds,
> Walter
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